R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Considering a hitch weight equalizer
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedConsidering a hitch weight equalizer

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
happywifehappylife View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 10 Sep 2016
Location: Boring, Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Considering a hitch weight equalizer
    Posted: 18 Jan 2017 at 3:56pm
To minimize the towing vehicle bouncing on uneven roads, I am planning to install a trailer hitch weight equalizer/sway bar on a 2017 179 RPod. Does anyone have any suggestions on brand, type or weight specifications? Is there any advantage/disadvantage to using the type with chains at the end of the longest bars? I pull the pod with a 2005 Tacoma V-6 Access cab.
Also is there any advantage in using a ball hitch that extends 4-6 inches further away from the bumper than the standard length hitch where the ball is just a couple of inches away from the outer edge of the bumper?
Thanks for advice on a subject that is not in my past experiences.
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jan 2017 at 5:01pm
Originally posted by happywifehappylife

To minimize the towing vehicle bouncing on uneven roads, I am planning to install a trailer hitch weight equalizer/sway bar on a 2017 179 RPod. Does anyone have any suggestions on brand, type or weight specifications? Is there any advantage/disadvantage to using the type with chains at the end of the longest bars? I pull the pod with a 2005 Tacoma V-6 Access cab.
Also is there any advantage in using a ball hitch that extends 4-6 inches further away from the bumper than the standard length hitch where the ball is just a couple of inches away from the outer edge of the bumper?
Thanks for advice on a subject that is not in my past experiences.

I recommend the E2 WDH from Fastway. It provides WD and sway control in one unit. Their 6000/600 model is very adequate for your installation and is very popular with Pod owners. The WDHs with chains typically do not provide integral sway control. The E2 relies on friction between the bars and their brackets for this.

Extending the ball away from the truck will decrease the truck's towing capacity and should be avoided. The only reason I would consider it is if the closer ball led to an inability to fully open the tailgate with the trailer hitched. Otherwise it is a bad idea mechanically.

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
TheBum View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1407
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jan 2017 at 6:06pm
The WDH will push the ball out from the TV, but not unnecessarily. We run an E2 after having used a chain-based WDH and separate sway bar. We would never go back. My wife hated hitching up the Pod before the switch, but she doesn't mind it now with the E2.
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jan 2017 at 8:31pm
We have been using an Equal-i-zer 4-way sway control hitch rated at 6000/600. It is more expensive than the E2, but has two more points of sway control. On the E2, it is only where the bars rub on the A-Frame brackets. On the Equal-i-zer, where the bars pivot on the head unit also provides additional sway control. As we found out though, even the best sway control hitch is no match for ice and wind.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
happywifehappylife View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 10 Sep 2016
Location: Boring, Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 12:36am
As Charlie suggested, I looked online at Jet for the Fastway weight equalizers. The 600 seemed a bit lightweight for the application, unless I am misinformed. I thought the gross vehicle weight of both the TV and pod were to be combined to determine which equalizer to purchase. My Tacoma is more than 5,000 pounds when loaded for camping, and my 2017 179 pod is more than 3,000 pounds when loaded for camping. Does that make the Fastway 800 a better match?
Also, is there an advantage of the square bars over the round bars? My Tacoma has a five-speed automatic trans, and I usually drive in fourth gear when towing.
In my original post, I asked about using an extended shaft to push the ball a few inches away from the truck bumper — just to gain a better turning radius for ease in backing the trailer. But if it decreases the towing capacity I will just have to accept the fact that I cannot open the tailgate fully while connected.
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 6:59am
The rating for the WDH is the trailer weight not including the TV. The 6000/600 E2 is quite adequate for any Pod. Round bar vs trunnion is personal preference. The round bar version extends slightly lower, thus reducing ground clearance at the hitch. That said, the the hitch is not the the lowest point on your rig. Parts of the Pod are lower. I have the round bar 6000/600 E2 with the Tacoma and have never had a problem with either trailer I've owned. The only knocks I've ever heard against the E2 are its weight and its noise. Its weight is not an issue to me and a little creaking on hard turns tells me it's working. That's a good thing. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Pod People View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1067
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 8:58am

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
Back to Top
Pod People View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1067
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 9:06am
I also use the Equalizer 600/6000 and find it totally adequate.  It moans and groans, but that means it is working and doing what it is designed to do.

Regardless of which unit you use, the most important thing is to read the manual and set it up properly.  the end result will totally depend on the proper set up.

again, regardless of the model, the trailer should be level when towed.  this may require the purchase of a different shank, depending on how high the receiver is mounted on your tv.  I had to purchase a 10" drop shank instead of the stock 8".  a high tongue can  contribute to unwanted sway.

get a good wdh with sway control, set it up correctly and use the correct shank and you will have eliminated most of the problems of sway as far as your hitch is concerned.  there are still other factors that need to be addressed-weight , loading, tires, etc.  All of these contribute to sway.
Travel safe
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz